Document G5gB4J2bvVkopqm9gOXQaxek7

TAN-OS-39 14:18 FROM: 2101 Highland Avenue-Suite 120 Birmingham. Alabama 35205 (205) 933-6676-FAX (205) 933-5292 TO:314 674 1585 PAGE'.002 Bradley Townsf.nd PUBLIC AFFAIRS Stephen E. Bradley President 770 Washington Avenue Suite 330 Montgomery, Alabama 36104 (334) 834-9685 - FAX (334) 834-6307 TO: Kevin Cahill FROM: Steve Bradley DATE. January 6,1999 SUBJECT: Additional Information Re: Christy Beckman's 12/29/98 Memorandum This is in response to the request for more detailed information in regard to several sponsorship possibilities in St. Clair and Talladega counties: Talladega Education Foundation. The Foundation has been in existence for 5-6 years. Presently $68,000 has been contributed: a $25,000 donation by employees of the school system to honor a retiring superintendent; an anonymous $25,000 contribution by a local individual; and $18,000 in miscellaneous contributions. The Alabama Power Foundation is making a $15,000 contribution to the Foundation at the next Talladega County Board ofEducation meeting January 26. Foundation administrator, Mrs. Nancy Cotter, Talladega County Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, says that those kinds of contributions receive a great deal of local media coverage. The goal of the Foundation is to reach the $750,000 level so that it may become self-sustaining. The Foundation is designed to provide grants to classroom teachers for the implementation of "innovative projects" for Talladega County students. The Foundation is a 50l(cX3) organization. A grant in the $10,000-$20,000 range to the Foundation would be very well received and would generate favorable publicity. A presentation to the Foundation could be arranged similar to the January 26 presentation by the Alabama Power Foundation, Computers In Classrooms. The Talladega County School System is a 17 school, 524 classroom district serving 8,000 children. The system has fewer than one computer per classroom. Computers are one ofthe most urgent needs in the district. Computers can be purchased that meet system guidelines for approximately $1,200 each, which includes software. The cost for one computer per school in die Talladega County system is $20,400. The St. Clair County School System is made up 13 schools which serve 7,000 students. The St. Clair system also desperately needs computers. The superintendent has advised that computers in the classroom are "by far" the district's DSW 138566 | STLCOPCB4038521 -JON-06-99 14:18 FROM: TO:314 674 1585 PAGE:003 2 most pressing need. The cost per computer is $1,200, which includes software. The cost for one computer per school in the St. Clair district is $15,600. Classroom Science Labs. In Talladega County most science labs are using out of date equipment and materials. Some labs have equipment that is at least 30 years old. The cost of outfitting one functional lab per high school is $1 S,000-$20,000 (not including furniture). There are seven high schools in the Talladega County school district. In St. Clair County a similar situation exists. There are five high schools in the county. One high school recently installed, through local fundraising efforts, its own science lab at a cost of about $18,000. The cost of placing science labs in the remaining four high schools would be $15,000-520,000 per school. Southern Rural Access Program. The Southern Rural Access Program is designed to help improve access to basic health care in eight states, primarily in the Southeast. The $13.8 million grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is spread over three years for the eight states -- some $600-700,000 per year, per state. The RWJ Foundation has identified five areas of need: 1. Rural Health Leaders Pipeline. Encourage youth to go into the health care field. 2. Recruitment and Retention. Promote practice opportunities in rural areas to health care professionals. Offer special incentives to those who come to rural areas. 3. Revolving Loan Fund. The RWJ Foundation would make a loan for infrastructure (clinics, technology). They give $1; community has to match with $6. (opportunity for participation by private sector). 4. Community Development. The initiative seeks to emphasize the inseparable nature of health care and community development. There is a close tie between local health care and a community's economy. The Alabama Cooperative Extension Service is taking the lead on this effort. 5. Network Development. By becoming aligned with a larger network, community health care providers can realize economies of scale. The RWJ Foundation wants the grant to be matched by each state. They also want the grant to be a catalyst for involving private and corporate foundations. The Alabama Power Company Foundation has expressed an interest. According to Clyde Barganier, PhD, who spearheads the Southern Rural Access Program for the State Department of Public Health, the program will not be at full speed for at least one year. DSW 138567 STLCOPCB4038522 TON-06-99 14:18 FROM: TO:314 674 1585 PAGE:004 3 Initially, the RWJ Foundation asked the stakeholders to identify a lead agency to organize the activities and administer the funds. These agencies in Alabama are: The Family Practice Rural Health Board, headed by Dr. ISleal Christopher in Marshall County. Family Health Care of Alabama Dr. Jim Coleman is the administrative officer of this group, which is headquartered in Greene County. Dr. Sandral Hulett is also involved. These two groups have written their formal application for the grant, which includes their plan of action. Dr. Barganier says the plan was submitted to the RWJ Foundation in November. He says it has been reviewed, but, as yet, the Foundation has made no comment on it. (Also see Attachment "A") Legacy. Teacher training: (Awaiting response from Legacy re: sponsorship costs - see Attachment "B"), Environmental scholarships: (Have requested environmental scholarship suggested cost ranges from Legacy. Awaiting response. Will have information on Legacy costs by 1/7/99 conference call.) DSW 138568 STLCOPCB4038523